Amazon.com is adding an interesting new function to its Kindle reader: the ability to lend electronic books. The company, in an announcement on its Kindle Community page, says Kindle users will be able to lend e-books for a period of 14 days to other people who own Kindles or are using Kindle apps on devices like the iPhone and iPad.

One big caveat, though: publishers will determine which titles can be lent digitally — meaning not all Kindle books will be part of the new program. It's not clear if publishers will go for the lending concept because it essentially provides temporary access to e-books for free. The loan function will be introduced later this year, according to Amazon.

Amazon also indicated that newspapers and magazines will soon be readable on Kindle apps for iPhone, iPad, Android, and other devices.

"In the coming weeks, many newspapers and magazines will be available on our Kindle apps for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, and then we'll be adding this functionality to Kindle for Android and our other apps down the road," reads a statement from the Amazon Kindle team. "Our vision is Buy Once, Read Everywhere, and we're excited to make this possible for Kindle periodicals in the same way that it works now for Kindle books."

Barnes & Noble's Nook reader also gives people the ability to lend some e-books for up to 14 days. The Nook has offered that feature for more than a year.

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